ALL ABOUT US Marcy Orwig ‘04© All Right Reserved The idea of supplementing the nutritional needs of livestock, with low moisture molasses based big blocks or “tubs”, has been around for a quite some time now. Back in 1981, Steve Orwig was working with his father, Raymond, a rancher and self-taught nutritionist from central Missouri (Close To Fayette), by experimenting on their livestock herd nutritionally. They were trying to enhance the profitability of their livestock operation by using something very unusual to the industry at that time, balancing proteins, vitamins, minerals and a newly discovered digestion-enhancing enzyme product with the drought stricken forage. Since there was little to no hay, at the time, and hauling hay from Iowa was cost prohibitive, they were forced to try something a little different. The catalyst, aspergillus oryzae fermentation, extract had an amazing ability to stimulate the microorganisms in the digestive tract of the animal. This also helped breakdown the outer layer of roughage, allowing the animals to utilize more of the nutritional content contained within the available limited plant matter. They even noticed the animals were completely content, though much less roughage was being made available to them. They back ed off hay consumption. The downside to all this was the enzyme, or “bug” as they called it, was not cheap and it only took a very minute amount needed for optimum livestock production. So, Steve and his Father set out to find a way to “meter” this “bug”, along with their own customized protein package that contained necessary vitamins, major minerals and trace minerals combined specifically to fit into the drought influenced feeding.   Of course it did not happen overnight, but dehydrating molasses into a hard peanut brittle like consistency proved the answer and solved the problem of rationing the correct amount of expensive supplements into each animal. The hard cooked molasses also contained a high-energy content with very minimal moisture. The molasses base gave the ingredients a substantially longer shelf life and made it more palatable to the animal, than if it were simply boxed up or bagged. Steve and Raymond found out some time later that, unlike liquid feeds, the molasses base kept the ingredients perfectly suspended throughout the tub (Mulit Year Trials). So, with each lick, the animal gleans all of the goodies combined within the tub. As the molasses product would soften from moisture in the air and animals saliva from licking, an even amount was released for ingestion into the animal. The “boss” cow could not just stand there and consume to her heart’s content; it would get bored when the tub wouldn’t release quickly and walk off, giving another cow a chance to consume. To add to the molasses tub’s appeal, it is completely waste proof, weatherproof, much less labor intensive and available around the clock. Before his death in 1991, Steve’s father had created four main formulations. Since that time, Steve has continued what his father started; and has worked with many livestock producers, nutritionists, and veterinarians throughout the central United States, Canada and all the way down to Mexico. To correct many problems naturally, without the use of antibiotics, and to meet differing feeding conditions Steve has created well over two hundred formulas specifically for each phase of livestock production. These formulations, of course, vary nutritionally according to what is actually needed to compliment the forage available in each area. They contain different percentages of all natural, easily digestible plant proteins products (location is FCI Certified), vitamins A, B, D, E, and minerals. Some formulations contain chelated minerals, Zinc Methionine and Amaferm. These ingredients all work hand-in-hand to create healthier, more vigorous, better-looking, faster growing and more reproductive livestock. Cattle formulations are predominantly produced, but formulations for horses, sheep, goats, elk, deer, bison & bear have also been produced. In addition, several sizes are made available: 40, 50, 60, 70, 100, 125, 200 and 250 pound. Many choices of containers are also offered including; returnable, stackable, non-returnable plastic containers, recyclable feed pans, prefabricated buckets, fiber boxes, HDPE barrels etc. Carrying on the family tradition and hoping to get back to the principles set by his father that feed supplementation should make the livestock producer money, Steve Orwig along with his wife, Marcy, and their family have created a brand new “tub” manufacturing corporation. The state-of-the-art production facility, Orwig’s Livestock Supplements, Inc., uses a completely unusual and innovative approach to dehydrating, chilling and mixing molasses with ingredients. It began operation in March of 2004 five miles east of Ellendale, ND. This now begins the third generation of Orwigs in the feed supplement tub manufacturing business! April 2007 celebrates the THIRD anniversary of Orwig’s Livestock Supplements Inc.  For inquiries on sales, service and distribution; you are welcome to call Steve & Marcy Orwig direct at 1-888-766-TUBS. You can also get more information through this web site: www.newconceptnutrition.com